A few top Republican senators addressed the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s “Road to Majority” convention Thursday, emphasizing family, compassion and faith as prescriptions for restoring the GOP’s strength.

Sen. Mike Lee said that a conservative focus on helping American families will ensure Republican victories in 2016.

Mr. Lee dismissed criticism that Republicans haven’t kept up with “changing times” and should be embracing more open views on social issues such as gay marriage.

“They say … we have to change the way we say things, the way we talk about our families,” Mr. Lee said. “But they have it backwards,” he continued. “The problem is not that conservatives have focused too much on families, but rather far too little.”

Mr. Lee spoke about a “society that seems to be increasingly rigged by Washington” against parents, and told his audience of fellow conservatives that “It’s time for a new conservative reform agenda that levels the playing field” and gives families a “chance to make a good living, make a good life.” Among other things, he said the party should be trying to make “it easier for couples to start families, entrepreneurs to start businesses.”

Mr. Lee advocated lower tax rates and overhauling the “dysfunctional welfare system,” and he called for conservatives to “identify even more with those Americans who are still on the bottom rungs where the climbing is harder.”

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, whofocused on American exceptionalism and praised the country’s ideals of liberty and freedom of speech, found an audience quick to laugh at his jokes and loudly applaud his calls to action.

“There is no people in human history that has been more compassionate,” he said, referencing ongoing debate on overhauling immigration laws. Mr. Rubio, who has long been a supporter of immigration reform, voted this morning to defeat an amendment that would require “effective control” over the border before undocumented immigrants could begin applying for legal status.

“At the essence of our immigration policy is compassion … the idea that not only do we believe that people from all walks of life can succeed when given the opportunity — but we want to be the place where they succeed,” he said.

“Every single human life matters, and every single human life is worth of the protection of our laws,” he added.

Responding to foreign criticism of the U.S., he asked, “If America’s so bad, then why are people always trying to get in, but nobody seems to be trying to get out?” He was met with a large round of applause.

Mr. Rubio also urged members of the coalition to remain active even when told to separate religion from the political process. “This [coalition] gets it right — faith and freedom are intertwined,” he said.“These families … they’re waiting for us,” he said. “They know more government just isn’t the answer. They know government only divides them.”

Earlier in the day, Sen. Rand Paul emphasized his commitment to “moral authority,” and once again condemned U.S. aid to Egypt and Pakistan in his address to the convention.

The Kentucky Republican poked fun at the Obama administration, and the rash of scandals in recent weeks. “Here a scandal, there a scandal, everywhere a scandal!” he declared, expressing concern that President Barack Obama is losing his moral authority to lead the nation.

Mr. Paul advocated cutting off U.S. aid to Egypt and Pakistan, saying, “It angers me to see my tax dollars supporting regimes” that persecute Christians. “In Egypt, in Pakistan, they burn our flag. I say not one more penny to countries that are burning the American flag,” he added, to a round of applause.

Last year, Mr. Paul singlehandedly tried to block a $500 billion bill to fund the federal government for six months because he wanted a vote on a measure cutting aid to Pakistan, Egypt and Libya. His effort failed. At the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s “Road to Majority” convention, which runs until Saturday, Mr. Paul said he also opposed arming Syrian rebels.

Mr. Paul also emphasized his support for Israel and advocated cutting off aid to countries that don’t recognize Israel. “These countries are not our true allies, and no amount of money is going to make them so,” he said. “I fear that one day this money will be used against Israel.”

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